2012 MERCEDES-BENZ GL-Class display

XPress button :.
The vehicle rises to raised level.
While the adjustment is taking place, a
message appears in the multifunction
display, e.g.:
If you press the V, U , & or *
button on the multifunction steering wheel,
then the message will disappear.
Once raised level has been reached, you will
then see a message in the multifunction
display, for example:
If you have not previously selected the off-
road menu ( Y page 222) in the on-board
computer, then the message disappears after
about five seconds.
Highway/high-speed level
! Make sure that there is enough ground
clearance when the vehicle is being
lowered. It could otherwise hit the ground,
damaging the underbody.
XStart the engine.
If indicator lamp ; is lit:
XPress button :.
The vehicle is adjusted to the highway level.
While the adjustment is taking place, a
message appears in the multifunction
display, e.g.:
If you press the V, U , & or *
button on the multifunction steering wheel,
the message will disappear.
Once highway level has been reached, then
all indicator lamps = go out. You will see a
message in the multifunction display, for
example:
If you have not previously selected the off-
road menu ( Y page 222) in the on-board
computer, the message disappears after
about five seconds.
The vehicle automatically adjusts to highway
level when you drive faster than 55 mph
(88 km/h). Depending on the ADS setting,
the vehicle is lowered to high-speed level at
higher speeds.
i If a trailer is being towed, the vehicle is
not lowered to high-speed level.
Driving systems191Driving and parkingZ

Vehicles with extended Off-Road Pro
engineering package
Basic settings
The extent to which the vehicle is raised or
lowered depends on the basic setting
selected.
Select:
R Off-road level 3 for freeing the vehicle in
impassable terrain at low speeds only
R Off-road level 2 for driving on normal off-
road terrain
R Off-road level 1 for driving on easily
negotiable off-road terrain
R Highway/high-speed level for normal roads
The individual vehicle levels differ from
highway level as follows:
R +3.5 in (+ 90 mm) at off-road level 3
R +2.3 in (+ 60 mm) at off-road level 2
R +1.2 in (+ 30 mm) at off-road level 1
R +/–0 in (+/–0 mm) at the highway level
R –0.6 in (–15 mm) at the high-speed level
Off-road levels
GWARNING
Vehicle off-road level 3 is not intended for use
on paved roads. This vehicle level is intended
for clearing impracticable situations at low
speed exclusively. The vehicle has a very high
center of gravity in off-road level 3. This
increases the overturning hazard.
R Select off-road level 3 exclusively for
clearing impracticable situations at low
speed.
R Adapt your driving style to the modified
conditions.
R Do not exceed a speed of 12 mph
(20 km/h).
R Avoid extreme, quick steering movements.
R Keep in mind the vehicle's driving
characteristics are modified.
You should therefore drive in off-road level 3
with particular caution as it could otherwise
lead to an accident and/or serious injury to
you or others.
If you drive too fast at off-road level 3, then
the Reduce speed to below 12 mph
( 20 km/h ) message appears in the
multifunction display. You also hear a
warning. The vehicle is lowered.
i You cannot clear these messages.
Only select an off-road level when this is
appropriate for road conditions. Otherwise,
fuel consumption increases and handling
performance may be affected.
Your selection remains stored even if you
remove the SmartKey from the ignition lock.XStart the engine.XTurn the selector wheel clockwise :.
The vehicle is raised.
or
XTurn selector wheel ; counter-clockwise.
The vehicle is lowered.
Indicator lamps = for the desired off-road
level flash:
R Off-road level 1: the lower indicator lamp
flashes
R Off-road level 2: the lower and center
indicator lamps flash
R Off-road level 3: all three indicator lamps
flash
The vehicle is being adjusted to the off-road
level selected. As soon as an off-road level is
reached, the corresponding indicator lamp
stops flashing and lights up constantly.
192Driving systemsDriving and parking

While the adjustment is taking place, a
message appears in the multifunction
display, e.g.:
The vehicle is raised from off-road level 1 to
off-road level 2.
If you press the V, U , & or *
button on the multifunction steering wheel,
the message will disappear.
Once off-road level 2 has been reached, you
will see a message in the multifunction
display, for example:
Lower and center indicator lamps = are on.
If you have not previously selected the off-
road menu ( Y page 222) in the on-board
computer, the message disappears after
about five seconds.
The Max. speed 12 mph (20 km/h )
message draws your attention to the
maximum permissible speed for off-road
level 3.
While the adjustment from off-road level 2 to
off-road level 3 is taking place, you will see a
message such as the following in the
multifunction display:
Once off-road level 3 has been reached, you
will see a message in the multifunction
display, for example:
If you drive faster than 12 mph (20 km/h) at
off-road level 3, the following message
appears in the multifunction display:
Off-road level 3 is canceled.
If you then increase the speed again, the
message remains in the multifunction
display. The newly set level is not displayed
until the vehicle has been set to a level
suitable for the current speed.
If you maintain or reduce your speed, you will
see a message such as the following in the
display while the vehicle is being lowered:
The vehicle is lowered to off-road level 2.
Once off-road level 2 has been reached, you
will see a message in the multifunction
display, for example:
Driving systems193Driving and parkingZ

If you select an off-road level when driving at
too high a speed, the Level selection
not permitted message appears in the
multifunction display.
You can select the following:
R off-road level 1 up to 60 mph(96 km/h)
R off-road level 2 up to 40 mph(64 km/h)
R off-road level 3 up to 12 mph(20 km/h)
If you drive faster than 55 mph (88 km/h), or
for longer than 20 seconds between 40 mph
(64 km/h) and 55 mph (88 km/h), then off-
road level 2 is canceled. The vehicle is
lowered to off-road level 1.
You will see a message in the multifunction
display, for example:
If you drive faster than 60 mph (96 km/h), off-
road level 1 is canceled. The vehicle is
lowered to highway level.^^
You will see a message in the multifunction
display, for example:
Depending on the ADS setting ( Y page 195),
the vehicle is lowered to high-speed level at
high speeds. If you return to a speed below
25 mph (40 km/h), the vehicle is raised back
to highway level.
Highway/high-speed level
! Make sure that there is enough ground
clearance when the vehicle is being
lowered. It could otherwise hit the ground,
damaging the underbody.:To raise the level;To lower the level=Indicator lampsXStart the engine.
If one or more indicator lamps = are on:
XTurn the selector wheel counter-
clockwise ; until all indicator lamps =
that are lit start to flash.
The vehicle is lowered to highway level. As
soon as the next lowest level is reached,
the indicator lamp stops flashing and goes
out.
While the adjustment is taking place, a
message appears in the multifunction
display, e.g.:
If you press the V, U , & or *
button on the multifunction steering wheel,
the message will disappear.
194Driving systemsDriving and parking

Once highway level has been reached, all
indicator lamps = go out. You will see a
message in the multifunction display, for
example:
If you have not previously selected the off-
road menu ( Y page 222) in the on-board
computer, the message disappears after
about five seconds.
The vehicle automatically adjusts to highway
level when you drive faster than
60 mph(115 km/h). Depending on the ADS
setting ( Y page 195), the vehicle is lowered
to high-speed level at high speeds.
i If a trailer is being towed, the vehicle is
not lowered to high-speed level.
ADS (Adaptive Damping System)
ADS is continuously electronically-controlled.
It adapts the damping characteristics to suit
the current operating conditions. The
damping is controlled for each wheel
individually. This improves driving safety and
tire comfort.
This depends on:
R your driving style
R the road surface conditions
R the ADS setting
R the vehicle level setting
Your selection remains stored even if you
remove the SmartKey from the ignition lock.
Vehicles without extended Off-Road Pro
engineering package
Vehicles with extended Off-Road Pro engineering
package
You can choose between the following ADS
settings:
R AUTO for normal driving situations;
indicator lamps ; and = are off.
R SPORT for sporty driving; indicator
lamp ; is on. In comparison with AUTO or
COMF , the vehicle is lowered by
0.6 in(15 mm).
R COMF for a more comfortable ride;
indicator lamp = is on.
XStart the engine.XPress button : repeatedly until the
desired setting is selected.Driving systems195Driving and parkingZ

! When parking, pay particular attention to
objects above or below the sensors, such
as flower pots or trailer drawbars.
PARKTRONIC does not detect such objects
when they are in the immediate vicinity of
the vehicle. You could damage the vehicle
or the objects.
The sensors may not detect snow and other
objects that absorb ultrasonic waves.
Ultrasonic sources such as an automatic
car wash, the compressed-air brakes on a
truck or a pneumatic drill could cause
PARKTRONIC to malfunction.
PARKTRONIC may not function correctly on
uneven terrain.
Minimum distanceCenterApproximately 8 in
(approximately 20 cm)CornersApproximately 6 in
(approximately 15 cm)
If there is an obstacle within this range, the
relevant warning displays light up and a
warning tone sounds. If the distance falls
below the minimum, the distance may no
longer be shown.
Warning displays
The warning displays show the distance
between the sensors and the obstacle. The
warning display for the front area is located
on the dashboard above the center air vents.
The warning display for the rear area is in the
roof lamp in the rear compartment.
Warning display for the front area
:Segments on the left-hand side of the
vehicle;Segments on the right-hand side of the
vehicle=Segments showing operational readiness
The warning display for each side of the
vehicle is divided into five yellow and two red
segments. PARKTRONIC is operational if
yellow segments showing operational
readiness = light up.
The selected transmission position
determines which warning display is active
when the engine is running.
Transmission
positionWarning displayDFront area activatedR or NRear and front areas
activatedPNo areas activated
One or more segments light up as the vehicle
approaches an obstacle, depending on the
vehicle's distance from the obstacle.
From the:
R sixth segment onwards, you will hear an
intermittent warning tone for
approximately two seconds.
R seventh segment onwards, you will hear a
warning tone for approximately two
seconds. This indicates that you have now
reached the minimum distance.
Driving systems197Driving and parkingZ

Problems with PARKTRONICProblemPossible causes/consequences and M SolutionsOnly the red segments
in the PARKTRONIC
warning displays are lit.
You also hear a warning
tone for approximately
two seconds.
PARKTRONIC is
deactivated after
approximately
20 seconds, and the
indicator lamp in the
PARKTRONIC button
lights up.PARKTRONIC has malfunctioned and has switched off.XIf problems persist, have PARKTRONIC checked at a qualified
specialist workshop.Only the red segments
in the PARKTRONIC
warning displays are lit.
PARKTRONIC is
deactivated after
approximately 20
seconds.The PARKTRONIC sensors are dirty or there is interference.XClean the PARKTRONIC sensors ( Y page 309).XSwitch the ignition back on.The problem may be caused by an external source of radio or
ultrasound waves.XSee if PARKTRONIC functions in a different location.Rear view camera
Important safety notes
The rear view camera is an optical parking aid.
It shows the area behind your vehicle in the
COMAND display.
GWARNING
Make sure that no persons or animals are in
the maneuvering range. Otherwise, they
could be injured.
The rear view camera is located in the handle
strip of the tailgate.
:Rear view camera
View through the camera
The area behind the vehicle is displayed as a
mirror image, as in the rear-view mirror.
Driving systems199Driving and parkingZ

GWARNING
The rear view camera is only an aid and may
display obstacles
R from a distorted perspective
R inaccurately
R may not display obstacles at all
The rear view camera does not relieve you of
the responsibility to be cautious. Take care
and pay careful attention. The rear view
camera may not show objects which are
R very close to the rear bumper
R under the rear bumper
R above the tailgate handle
You are responsible for safety at all times and
must continue to pay attention to the
immediate surroundings when parking and
maneuvering. This includes the area behind,
in front of, and beside the vehicle. Otherwise
you could endanger yourself and/or others.
GWARNING
The rear view camera will not function or will
not fully function if:
R the tailgate is open
R it is raining or snowing strongly or if it is
foggy
R it is night or if you are parking/
maneuvering your vehicle in a very dark
area
R a very bright white light is affecting the
camera
R the immediate vicinity is illuminated with
fluorescent light (the display can flicker)
R temperature changes abruptly, for example
if you drive out of the cold into a heated
garage (condensation on the lens)
R the camera lens is dirty or covered
R the rear of your vehicle is damaged
In this case, have the position and the
setting of the camera checked at a
specialist workshop. Mercedes-Benz
recommends that you consult a Mercedes-
Benz Center for this purpose.
Do not use the rear view camera in these
situations. You could otherwise injure
yourself and other people and/or cause
damage - including damage to your vehicle -
while parking/maneuvering.
Activating the rear view cameraXMake sure that the SmartKey is in position
2 in the ignition lock.XMake sure that the "rear view camera"
function is selected in COMAND (see the
separate operating instructions for
COMAND).XEngage reverse gear.
The area behind the vehicle is shown in the
COMAND display with guide lines.
Guide lines in the COMAND display
GWARNING
Use of rear view camera can be dangerous if
you are color-blind or have impaired color
vision.
Only use rear view camera if you can see and
distinguish all colored guidelines shown by
rear view camera on the COMAND system
display.
GWARNING
Please note that objects that do not touch the
ground may appear to be further away than
they actually are, for example:
R the bumper of a vehicle parked behind you
R the trailer drawbar
R the ball coupling of a trailer tow hitch
R the rear end of a truck
R a slanted post
In such cases, you should not use the guide
lines to judge the distance. You may misjudge
the distance, which increases the risk of
impacting the objects.
Even if the object you approach is directly on
the ground, do not approach the object any
closer than the red guide line.
200Driving systemsDriving and parking